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Fahrenheit 451 Captain Beatty Analysis

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In a society where original thought is banned and empty-minded conformity is looked favorably upon, there is always one person that just can not fit into that lifestyle. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury it is easy to label Montag or Clarisse as the standout person. Even though both of them do not fit in or go against society’s norms, the fire captain Beatty is the one who differs the most from society. Beatty is one of the leaders in the fight against books and thought, yet he is the most educated and well-read person the readers meet in the book. He is a paradox in which his vague background, Montag’s assessment of him, and anti-intellectual actions and ideas clash with his intellectual thoughts, the ones where he is quoting literature and promoting knowledge to prove that a person like him will eventually crack from the pressures of society. Readers only get to witness Beatty from Montag’s point of view and are given very few clues to his background leaving them wondering who he actually is. While discussing the Hound Beatty tells Montag “Hell! It’s a fine bit of craftsmanship” (25). When Montag expresses his thoughts about the Hound, Beatty is quick to defend …show more content…

The way Montag views him gives the reader a glimpse of Beatty’s external personality and background, but cannot tell them what is actually going on internally. Beatty fights so harshly against original thought, yet he is the person with the most original thought, quoting literature and exposing his knowledge that is condemned in that society. The two conflicting aspects of Beatty’s personality is what caused him to fall apart as his internal thoughts with knowledge burned him from the inside out while his external thoughts of fighting knowledge is what burned him from the outside

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